Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, State Representative Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, and State Representative Natalie Manley are partnering with United Way of Will County to host a “Diaper Depot Drive” to collect items for local families experiencing hardships. Several collection boxes have been placed throughout the county and donations are accepted until Friday, July 21.

“I’m glad to be working with numerous partners in helping United Way collect baby essentials,” said County Executive Bertino-Tarrant. “I invite residents to donate diapers and related items during this drive to support local families in need. We have worked to place donation sites in accessible locations throughout the county.”

Items that are accepted during the collection drive include diapers (sizes 1-6), baby wipes, diaper cream, and baby wash. According to the United Way of Will County, diaper sizes 4-6 are the most requested items.

“Caring for a newborn is one of the toughest jobs that is often exacerbated by additional financial burdens,” said State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood. “Diapers aren’t cheap. I encourage residents to participate in the Diaper Depot Drive so we can provide families in our communities with the necessary supplies.”

All donated items will support the United Way of Will County’s Diaper Depot Program that provides one, pre-packaged bundle of 25 diapers per child per month to families experiencing hardships. United Way of Will County has three locations in Bolingbrook, Joliet, and Lockport where families in need can receive a Baby Bundle at no cost.

“I am happy to support the Diaper Depot Drive and would encourage my constituents to participate and help if they can, by donating baby materials to the families that need it,” said Deputy Majority Leader Natalie Manley, D-Joliet. “The time after the arrival of a newborn is one of the most stressful periods for families, and anything that we can do to help out will go a long way to provide relief. Thank you to all of our community partners for making this happen!”

Diapers are not covered by either WIC or SNAP, requiring households in need to budget for these essential products. To address this “diaper gap,” the United Way of Will County officially launched the Diaper Depot program in 2018, formerly called Community Baby Shower. Over 70,000 diapers have been donated through the program.

“Access to clean diapers and other baby products is essential to the health and wellbeing of our community’s children, and no child should go without,” said State Rep. Dagmara Avelar, D-Bolingbrook. “I’m proud to represent a community that comes together to support those in need, so I encourage everyone who is able to donate to our Diaper Depot Drive.”

Donation boxes are available through July 21, 2023, at the following locations:

• Bolingbrook Town Center – 375 W. Briarcliff Rd., Bolingbrook
• Crest Hill City Hall – 20600 City Center Blvd., Crest Hill
• Will County Office Building – 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet
• Workforce Center of Will County – 2400 Glenwood Ave., Joliet
• Lockport City Hall – 222 E. 9th St., Lockport
• Plainfield Village Administration – 24401 Lockport St., Plainfield
• Romeoville Police Department – 1050 W. Romeo Rd., Romeoville
• Shorewood Village Hall – 1 Towne Center Blvd., Shorewood
  For more information on the Diaper Depot Program, including locations to pick up donated diapers, visithttps://uwwill.org/diaper-depot/.